The biggest is a 13.8-hectare plot at DN Nagar for a depot, which the MMRDA is unable to acquire owing to a dispute under the Urban Land Ceiling (Regulation) Act. “We are not even a party in that case,” said Metropolitan Commissioner Ratnakar Gaikwad. “We have approached the court,” he said, adding that he’s “hopeful” the matter is resolved soon and the land acquired.

Besides this, the handover of land near the Wadala Truck Terminal for a concrete pre-casting yard and land for a second electricity sub-station is also overdue. But the biggest challenge is perhaps clearing the ROW on the stretch from Andheri station to Navrang Cinema. “These are all authorized structures,” said Gaikwad. “We have expressed to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation — and they have agreed in principle — that we should be given possession of the Andheri market at an early date.” The shopkeepers, including jewellers and large clothing store owners, have mostly agreed to being relocated in the Andheri municipal market, which is to be redeveloped with an FSI of 4.

Asked if the Mumbai Metro One Pvt Ltd — it has been promising to begin operations well ahead of the scheduled 2012 completion — is anxious about the lack of progress by the state government on this front, its director K P Maheshwari admitted: “Yes, we are worried. But we are using the time to tie up several major contracts, some of them having a complex technical interface.” Between 12 and 15 major contracts are to be awarded, including those for rolling stock, civil works, signalling, telecommunications, track work, electricals and an automated fare collection system. Financial bids have been received for several tenders. “We are evaluating these very carefully,” Maheshwari said.

While some structures between Asalpha and Sarvodaya Hospital at Ghatkopar are to be rehabilitated at a Bhandup complex, Gaikwad says MMRDA is not too concerned about the remaining portion. “It is being cleared at a fast pace,” he said.